Songs We Like, April 2017

This is a sonic collaboration among Revue, WYCE and AMI Jukeboxes. Play this mix as a playlist on AMI Jukeboxes, read about it here every month and stream it on wyce.org. Each of the bands featured will be performing in West Michigan in April 2017.

Chicano Batman, “Friendship Is A Small Boat in a Storm”

(The Intersection, April 6)

Chicano Batman has a multitude of sounds and influences, and “Friendship (Is A Small Boat In A Storm)” is no exception. With charming, meandering vocals by Bardo Martinez and a leading organ, the funky four-piece channels its soul and psychedelic roots perfectly into the first single from its new album, “Freedom is Free.”

Kishi Bashi, “Can’t Let Go, Juno”

(Calvin College, April 12)

The multi-instrumentalist delivers a haunting track about a heartbreak that he just can’t seem to let go of. The heavy synth is sometimes balanced out with piercing string melodies that, when together, almost emulate the sound of a Theremin, adding to the overall eeriness of the song.

Why?, “Proactive Evolution”

(The Pyramid Scheme, April 19)

Yoni Wolf’s eloquence in writing really shows here. His lyrics about a theoretical and anguished state float across the soft piano and synthesizers with ease. Overall, the song creates a relaxing atmosphere, ending with sobering samples of talking doctors that treated singer Yoni Wolf during a health scare.

Great Lake Swimmers, “I Must Have Someone Else’s Blues”

(Founders Taproom, April 16)

Great Lake Swimmers are bruised and down in the dirt in this folk/country-rock number: “I lost my heart, I’m looking for clues / I must have someone else’s blues.” Yet the dispirited lyrics are somewhat disguised with a fast tempo and simple, catchy melodies.

The Jayhawks, “Comeback Kids”

(Wealthy Theatre, April 14)

The veteran rock band experiments with a hint of electronica in this track that almost feels like a memory, recounting a past and vivid love story. A steady, beating rhythm rarely deviates from its hypnotizing drum.

The Flaming Lips, “We A Family”

(20 Monroe Live, April 9)

The Flaming Lips teamed up with Miley Cyrus (not for the first time) to create a trippy, out-of-this-world journey of a song. Its message is simple: I could be here and you could be far away, but we have each other’s back. By the end of the song, Cyrus and lead singer Wayne Coyne are singing “we a family” in unison.

Full track list:

April 2: Jonathan Richman, “No One Was Like Vermeer,” Pyramid Scheme

April 6: Chicano Batman, “Friendship (is a Small Boat in a Storm),” The Stache

April 6: Margo Price, “Tennessee Song,” St. Cecilia

April 9: Los Lobos, “Too Small Heart,” State Theatre

April 10: Charlie Hunter Trio, “Greasy Granny,” Tip Top Deluxe

April 11: Kishi Bashi, “Can’t Let Go, Juno,” Calvin College

April 13: Aretha Franklin, “I Never Loved a Man,” DeVos Place

April 13: Marc Cohn, “Dance Back from the Grave,” St Cecilia Music Center

April 14: The Jayhawks, “Comeback Kids,” Wealthy Theatre

April 16: Great Lake Swimmers, “I Must Have Someone Else’s Blues,” Founders